Jorge Lorenzo understands Valentino Rossi's anger at Marc Marquez

Lorenzo's Valencia Grand Prix victory last Sunday allowed him to pip Rossi to the championship as the Italian could only finish fourth from his penalised starting position at the back of the grid.

Rossi was already embroiled in fierce row with Marquez over their Sepang clash, and after the title decider he accused the Honda rider of deliberately sitting behind Lorenzo to protect his fellow Spaniard's championship bid.

Though Lorenzo had been highly critical of Rossi after his Malaysian GP collision with Marquez, he said he could imagine drawing the same conclusions about Valencia had he been in Rossi's position.

"It's his opinion and it must be respected," Lorenzo told Sky Sports Italia.

"It has to be respected because if you were Valentino Rossi at that time, or if I was Valentino Rossi at that time, after having lost a great opportunity to be champion, you would have thought the same.

"He, as the great champion he is, for the circumstances and the experience he has gone through, has expressed that opinion with honesty."

Asked if he regretted his own involvement in MotoGP's late-season controversies, such as his attempt to participate in the Court of Arbitration for Sport's hearing over Rossi's penalty appeal, Lorenzo said he hoped fans would understand he had been acting from the heart just as Rossi had.

"In life you take your decisions, sometimes they are good, sometimes they are bad, and whether they are good or bad depends on your point of view," said Lorenzo.

"Like Valentino has expressed his opinion at that time and it must be respected, so the thoughts I had at that time must also be respected. I said it as the sincere person I consider myself to be.

"Just respect all points of view, they are all valid.

"We are people, not robots, and sometimes we do things that are OK and sometimes we make mistakes, but everyone must be respected."

Translation by Michele Lostia